Chapter 18
Suspect-saviors, Sewers, & Surprises
"Great, a sewer, it always has to be a sewer," Buffy wrinkled her nose at the acrid smell emanating from it.
Angel grabbed hold of the sewer opening and began to pry it open. "I'm going in first. Buffy you follow me, and Connor you take the rear."
"I'm going in first. You've done enough to mess up this rescue mission!" Connor was furious and had moved inches from Angel's face when he said this.
Angel closed the gap even more, forcing Connor to step back. However, before Angel could offer his retort, Buffy stepped in between them, pushing them apart in one forceful shove.
"I'm tired of this. The only way we are going to save Dawn is by working together. I don't want to get all preachy and long winded about the value of teamwork, but I'll do what is necessary. I spent a year teaching potential slayers that their power was in numbers. I chalked up a lot of long winded speeches during that time. Don't force me to use them on you!"
Both Connor and Angel relaxed noticeably.
"If they're anything like his, I'd go in there and ask one of those demons to kill me."
"Cute, Son. Really. So are we going or what? 'cause I guarantee one analogous speech from her and I'd gladly join you."
"Are we done with Buffy bashing and ready to take on the real bad guys?"
"More than you know." Connor's anger had returned in full force, and he leapt ahead of Angel who put a hand on his shoulder to temper him, but allowed him to keep the lead. He knew if it were his love, his Buffy, waiting at the end of that sewer line for his rescue, nothing would stand in his way, no matter how well intentioned.
Angel leaned forward to whisper to Connor, "take it slow. The only advantage we have right now is the element of surprise."
Angel felt Buffy stumble behind him and he reached back to steady her. "Maybe you should get in between us. We can see fine, and I figure you're basically blind."
"I guess another gift from papa. You know with all the slayer power I get, you'd think enhanced sight, sound, etc would be included. I mean, I am built to slay vamps, you'd think someone would have considered making it a more even match up."
"Shhh, I hear something up ahead," Connor had squatted down low as he said this, almost as if he were putting his ear to the ground in an effort to hear better. Huh, Buffy thought, maybe there's something to that saying after all.
They had all come to a halt the only sound Connor and Buffy's shallow breathing. Guess Connor hadn't gotten all the nifty vamp traits after all.
"Dad, do you hear that? Can that really be what I think it is?"
"What is it, are they hurting her?" Buffy was attempting to push her way past Connor as she said this, fear and anger entwined in her voice. Both Connor and Angel grabbed hold of her and placed her back firmly between them.
"No, I think you are right Connor, I can't believe it."
"Seriously, these are the guys we're skulking in the sewers for." Connor was astonished.
"Hey, playing a serious game of twister doesn't mean you aren't evil. Makes ya a tad bit less scary, but evil none the less."
"So, what's the plan. Take out the spinner, pick some hand feet color combos that will have them tied in knots."
"Funny. Sarcasm. Do we really have time for this?"
"Buffy's right. Let's get serious. The only thing we can do is get closer and see if we see Dawn."
"Oh God! What if they are forcing her to play with them."
"Buffy we can't think about what tortures they may be inflicting upon her, it will only distract us. All we can do is get her out of there before any permanent damage is done"
The three continued down the sewer line coming around a curve that offered light in the distance which guided them to the large open area the demons were playing in.
Connor moved forward, slowly, stealthily, toward the light, trying to locate Dawn and gather the intel they would need to get her out safely.
After a few minutes he made his way back to Buffy and Angel, just as quietly as he had left.
"There look to be only about ten of them."
"Did you see Dawn, is she hurt?"
"No, I didn't see her, however I did see a door that the game is being played in front of. My guess is that she is on the other side."
"I don't like that there are only ten down there. That leaves a good twenty or more somewhere in these tunnels. I don't like knowing that my back's not covered."
"Then you are really gonna be hatin' this."
Bright lights filled the corridor and as their eyes adjusted, blurred images of the remaining demons came into vivid focus.
"Do ya think we've been seen?"
"That would be my guess. Connor, any theories on you part."
The demon was not impressed. "Funny, funny. Really, I don't believe I've enjoyed capturing prey as much as I have with you three, wait four…the girl she's pretty funny, if you count screaming insults and idle threats of bodily harm by her boyfriend and sister, quite humorous. Oh, sorry big guy, didn't mention you, not even once,"
"Don't worry I can handle it. But it sounds like the girl's threats were hardly idle. We're here aren't we?"
The demons laughed in one grand uproar, before they made their move and began to close in on all sides of the three.
"Guess this means we aren't going to settle this through mediation or any type of intelligent discussion. Oh wait, look who I'm talking to. Guess we fight."
Angel moved first sweeping his axe in a high arc taking the head off the demon in front of him. In a continuous motion, he swung in a circle sure not to hit Buffy or Connor, and took off the head of the demon who stepped into the decapitated demons place. "Step on up, plenty more choppin' to go around."
Buffy was happy she had a sword, despite her favoring of the stake. A stake wasn't going to get it done with these guys.
"Buffy, Connor, take out the ones behind you, I'll keep these at bay, but we need to make it to that door."
Buffy and Connor did as he said, Buffy turning around now and again to make sure Angel was doing ok fighting the horde of demons in front of him.
When they finally reached the door, to no surprise it was locked. "I need an axe to get this lock off, my sword just won't cut it."
Connor stepped away from his prey leaving Buffy to handle him in one clean slice into his abdomen. He hit the lock over and over again but it wasn't making any head-way.
"Connor come on, I'm getting' hugely outnumbered here!" Angel shouted.
"Wait, hey Buffy, that guy, the one coming up on your right he has a key around his neck." Connor threw her his axe and in a continuing arc she decapitated the demon and caught the key before it even hit the floor. She threw it to Connor and continued to fight, hoping he would get that damn door open and it would at least offer them some reprieve from the battle. Buffy kept chanting his name relaying the immediate jeopardy of their situation.
"I got it! Let's go."
Connor opened the door to a blow to the head by a nasty stiletto heal. "Owe!" He pushed Dawn back nearly knocking her to the floor as Buffy filed in after him. Angel however was still in the thick of it and a good ten feet away from the entry.
"I have to go help Angel, Connor stay with Dawn, and keep the door closed until you hear us come back. Keep her safe."
"You know I will. Now go help dad."
Buffy stepped outside to find Angel once again surrounded by demons. Buffy took out the ones who had found a way to get behind Angel. They were not prepared for her attack and she made corpses of them instantly, then she yelled for Connor to open the door, and grabbed Angel by the back of the jacket, pulling him into the room with her. One of the demons made it half into the room but as they forced the door closed on him he backed off whimpering over his crushed arm.
Connor took the lock he had kept from the outside and used it to lock them in. Buffy had prayed both sides would have locking capability.
"This lock and that door are not going to hold forever. We need to get out of here."
Angel looked around and quickly realized they were in a sealed off room and going no where anytime soon. "OK, either we are saved by the reinforcements I called, or we hope they get bored and walk away and we make our escape then. I'm thinking plan A is our best bet."
Connor and Dawn were wrapped tightly in each others arms, so tightly Buffy couldn't believe either could still breathe. Tears were running down Dawn's face as she sobbed softly into Connor's chest.
"I knew you would come for me, but what the hell took you so long!" As she said this she pushed out of his arms and stepped a few feet back from him.
"Why don't you ask my dad and your sister about that."
Dawn looked over at them questioningly.
"We needed a plan."
"It was his fault."
Angel and Buffy said this in unison, then looked at each other accusingly.
"What does it really matter now. We need to get out of here."
The pounding on the door stopped.
"Hey, maybe they did get bored."
The sound of a chainsaw quickly nullified that statement
"That is most definitely not a good sign."
Buffy looked over at Angel who was walking around the room holding his cell phone in the air in an obvious attempt to get a signal. He slammed it shut and threw it across the room. "Stupid piece of crap technology."
"Guess you couldn't find a signal."
"Are we moving on to plan B, looking for a plan C, or just hoping plan A is going to pan out for us before we're dismembered by that chainsaw?"
"I'm thinkin' plan A's gonna come through. Last time I checked; no the last time I was forced to listen to Spike reminisce about the two of you, leaves me with no doubt that he has every intention of saving you. So I guess that puts us in good company doesn't it?"
"Angel, maybe we should talk about Spike now."
"Once again, bad idea – instead, maybe we should clear up some facts about Dawn and Connor, since we're stuck here waiting and all."
"Sure. Where to start…"
Buffy looked over at Dawn and Connor who were now vigorously kissing, Connor having pushed her hard up against the wall. Buffy walked over and pulled them apart.
Dawn stood there dazed for a moment before she blushed remembering they had an audience. "Well it's not like we were doing it or anything."
"How about we all just keep our body parts to ourselves for the time being, cause you are really weirding me out!"
Buffy turned back around to Angel, determined to say what she needed to say, knowing that if he just listened to her, he would feel much better.
"Angel-"
But the loud sound of screaming demons and the crushing of bones stopped her cold, as they all stood transfixed staring at the door in horror.
"Sounds like the reinforcements are here."
"What reinforcements, it sounds like a massacre out there. I've never heard such bodily destruction or gut wrenching screams."
"More likely gut removing screams. I haven't told you about Illyria. She's strong and, well, not at all squeamish when it comes to killing. It comes in handy, as long as you're not the one fighting her."
"Great, can't wait to meet her."
"You'll love her." Connor said this in a dreamy voice that Dawn obviously found threatening.
"You met her?"
"Yeah, when I first went to Wolfram & Hart."
"And you thought she was hot?"
"Only until I met you sweetheart. She doesn't hold a candle to you. Though, I wouldn't mind seeing you in her leather outfit." He was looking at her lustily, to which Buffy was going to put a quick stop to.
She walked over ready to pull the two of them apart as they were once again kissing, when the opening of the door stopped her.
She looked to the figure in the door then over to Angel who had a look of shock and anger across his face.
"Hmmm, guess you weren't expecting me."
A/N - ok, not my favorite chapter...not to my own standards but I couldn't just keep reworking it again and again, or I never would have posted. So be gentle please. If it is any consolation, I like the next one a lot better.